Refuse can receptacle

ABSTRACT

A refuse can receptacle comprising a normally closed substantially rectangular receptacle which, in one embodiment, may be anchored to the ground by spaced legs. The receptacle is provided with a bottom spaced from the ground and is divided by spacers to accommodate a plurality of refuse cans. The side and rear walls of the receptacle are imperforate except for a plurality of screened openings to dissipate odor. The top of the receptacle is closed by a hinged cover. The side and rear walls of the cover wall are of double walled construction to receive a sliding, flexible, corrugated front retractable wall when the cover is closed to permit free access to the refuse cans from the front of the receptacle. The front wall is normally retained in closed position by a latch assembly. In another embodiment, one end wall is provided with an auxilliary receptacle which can be opened from the side and top and which is adapted to receive a plurality of litter bags. In another embodiment, the improved refuse can receptacle, instead of being anchored to the ground, is supported at one end on wheels and at the other end on a pair of legs, and a removable handle is provided which, when attached, permits moving.

United States Patent Eaton [451 May 30, 1972 REFUSE CAN RECEPTACLE Jordan Eaton, 967 Continental Ave, Detroit, Mich. 48215 [22] Filed: Mays, 1971 [21] Appl.No.: 140,472

[72] Inventor:

[52] [1.8. CI. ..Z32/43.2, 312/297 {51] Int. Cl. .3651 H08 [58} FieldofSearch ..232/43.2,43.1,1;3l2/297,

Primary Examiner Francis K. Zugel Arromey-Cullen Settle Sloman & Cantor ABSTRACT A refuse can receptacle comprising a normally closed substantially rectangular receptacle which, in one embodiment, may be anchored to the ground by spaced legs. The receptacle is provided with a bottom spaced from the ground and is divided by spacers to accommodate a plurality of refuse cans. The side and rear walls of the receptacle are imperforate except for a plurality ofscreened openings to dissipate odor. The top of the receptacle is closed by a hinged cover. The side and rear walls of the cover wall are of double walled construction to receive a sliding, flexible, corrugated front retractable wall when the cover is closed to permit free access to the refuse cans from the front of the receptacle. The front wall is normally retained in closed position by a latch assembly.

In another embodiment, one end wall is provided with an auxilliary receptacle which can be opened from the side and top and which is adapted to receive a plurality oflitter bags.

In another embodiment, the improved refuse can receptacle, instead of being anchored to the ground, is supported at one end on wheels and at the other end on a pair of legs, and a removable handle is provided which, when attached, permits moving.

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ATTORNEYS REFUSE cm RECEPTACLE BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to refuse can receptacles including trash cans, garbage cans, litterbags and the like.

Refuse can receptacles are known which are completely enclosed at least along three sides. However, front access to the refuse cans is normally unrestricted, the refuse being merely protected against the open front by means of a removable pivot bar, chain, or the like.

Thus, generally, in known proposed refuse can receptacles, access to the refuse cans by roaming animals, such as rodents, is not prevented. Additionally, the refuse cans in the known receptacles are not protected against atmospheric conditions permitting deterioration of the refuse cans, and their filling with rain water when the covers have not been replaced.

Another, and more serious condition connected with storage of refuse cans in an immediate vacinity of human dwellings is the accomodation of insects, particularly during the warmest season of the year. Insects are attracted by the odor from the refuse cans if they are stored in the open. None of the known partly enclosed refuse can receptacles have been efiective to prevent accomodation of disease carrying insects along the storage area of the refuse cans.

The present invention relates to enclosures for refuse cans, and more particularly, to receptacle providing sanitary and fireproof features without relinquishing handling convenience adjacent of refuse sanitary cans for removal of the cans from the receptacle.

Basic containers such as refuse cans, garbage cans and the like are being used in various locations on property and are provided with covers to retain odor. They are positioned at outside locations as to prevent entrance of stray animals or rodents. If the refuse cans are not secured in any way or merely resting on the ground, they are easily overturned with the contents spilled on the ground. This provides serious unsanitary conditions aside from the obvious bad picture of overturned refuse cans in the vacinity of buildings.

Accordingly, in the past in an effort to overcome this problem, various types of trash can holders, receptacles have been proposed. These have been cumbersome, impractical, expensive and otherwise, unsatisfactory. Generally known refuse can receptacles have a conventional open framework, are occasionally provided with a cover over the tops of the cans. This was objectionable due to the open framework and abuse of the cans by refuse collectors, known to be not too careful in the moving of refuse cans from wooden frame racks and placing the cans.

Accordingly, the present invention provides an improved sanitary and fireproof refuse can receptacle for placement outside of the building having improved access means from the top for placement of refuse in the refuse cans and from the side or front for easy removal of the refuse cans from the receptacle. As a first modification an additional compartment is provided outside of the receptacle proper for receipt and storage of commonly used garbage or litterbags and in another modification, the refuse can receptacle is provided with an under carriage for movement of the receptacle to a temporary storage and refuse pickup station.

Further distinguishing advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent by reference to the following detailed description in conjunction with the appended drawings illustrating several preferred embodiments.

Accordingly, the present invention provides an improved sanitary and fireproof refuse can receptacle for placement outside of the building having improved access means from the top for placement of refuse in the refuse cans and from the side or front for easy removal of the refuse cans from the receptacle. As a first modification an additional compartment is provided outside of the receptacle proper for receipt and storage of commonly used garbage of litterbags and in another modification, the refuse can receptacle is provided with an under carriage for movement of the receptacle to a temporary storage and refuse pickup location.

Further distinguishing advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent by reference to the following detailed description in conjunction with the appended drawings illustrating several preferred embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OFTI-[E DRAWINGS In The Drawings FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present refuse can receptacle, its top being shown in open position.

FIG. 2 is a transverse cross-section of the receptacle as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of the receptacle of FIG. I.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary enlarged side elevation of the refuse receptacle shown in FIG. 1, with cover closed.

FIG. 5 is a modification, illustrating the addition of an auxilliary compartment for storage of plastic litter or garbage bags.

FIG. 6 illustrates a roll away type refuse can receptacle in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 7 illustrates a modification of the roll-away type refuse can receptacle in FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION With reference to the drawings and particularly FIGS. 1 to 4, the present improved refuse can receptacle generally indicated at 20 is comprised of a perforated bottom wall 22, opposite side walls 24 and 26 and rear wall 28 joined thereto by conventional securing means. The receptacle 20 is provided with legs 30 which as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 may be anchored in the ground G by means of concrete bases 32 to prevent the receptacle from being tumbled over or displaced from its loca tron.

The side and rear walls have openings 34. Such openings are covered by screens 36 attached to the inside of the respective wall. The screened openings 34 and 36 provide for sufiicient ventilation for receptacle 20 to dissipate any offensive odor while at the same time preventing insects, rodents or cats and dogs from access to the refuse cans within the receptacle.

The bottom 22 is partitioned by means of a plurality of dividers 38 which may extend a short distance upwardly. Dividers 38 may be eliminated and other means employed for convenient and proper spacing and positioning of refuse cans 40 within receptacle 20.

The open top of receptacle 20 is normally covered by a hinged lid 42 which is dome shaped to provide interior space across the top of refuse cans when the lid is closed. When so closed, lid 42 abuts the upper edges of side walls 24-26 and rear wall 28. The sides and rear walls of the lid have a plurality of screened openings 44. The lid is connected to rear wall 28 by a plurality of hinge assemblies 46, FIG. 2.

In order to maintain lid 42 in a temporary open position, a brace 48 is provided which is pivoted at 50 to the inside of one of the side walls, FIG. I. Brace 48 when not in use may be stored along the inside of the side wall within a notch, hook or bracket 52 provided on the inside of the respective side wall. An additional brace may be provided upon the other end wall if desired.

Conversely, brace 48 may be pivotally attached to the inside of lid 42 as shown at 53, FIG. 2 in such a manner that when lid 42 is open the brace will be pivoted in an upright direction so that its free end engages bracket means 54.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, bottom wall 22 has a plurality of apertures 56 which provides a draining means for the receptacle. 0n the inside of rear wall 28 and side walls 24 and 26 are abutments 58 made of flexible material such as rubber or the like, in a suitable thickness to provide flexible bumpers for the cans 40 when the cans are placed in the receptacle to reduce noise and to prevent damage to the cans.

As seen in FIG. 3, the opposite side edges of rear wall 28 may be provided with apertured brackets 60 so that the receptacle 20 can be attached to the wall of a building or to a fence or the like to prevent the receptacle from being stolen or tumbled over. This arrangement, however, will only be necessary in instances in which the receptacle is merely supported on the ground instead of having legs 30 which are solidly anchored in a concrete base 32 within the ground as shown in FIG. 2.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, the front of the receptacle is normally closed by a flexible door 62 made of corrugated flexible material as for instance plastic or wire screening. The opposite edges of the flexible front door 62 are longitudinally movable supported on rollers 80 in side channels 64 and 66, secured to side walls 24 and 26. The front door 62 along its top is retained within the open channel member 68 extending across the front between the upper edges of side walls 24 and 26. In closed position of door 62 the pivotal latch 70 attached to the lower edge of front door 62 is adapted for engagement in socket 72 secured upon the front edge of bottom wall 22 to lock front door 62 in place.

In FIG. 4, the lid 42 and the rear wall 28 are of double walled construction providing channel means 74 and 76, respectively adapted to receive flexible front door 62 when retracted. In the closed position of lid 42, FIG. 4, the flexible front door 62 can be raised upwardly permitting the door to slide through channel 68 and lid channels 74 and rearwardly downwardly in the rear wall 28 by means of channels 76. As shown in FIG. 2 at one point within rear wall 28 a stop 78 is provided to limit downward movement within rear wall. FIG. 2 shows the flexible front door 62 retracted and disposed adjacent the edge of closed lid 42. Thus a convenient frontal access for receptacle 20 is provided permitting the refuse cans to be moved laterally outwardly of receptacle instead of having the refuse cans lifted to the top opening of the receptacle which would require considerably more manual effort, awkward and cumbersome.

The lid hinges 46 are positioned outwardly of the lid and rear wall 28 so as not to obstruct channels 74 and 76. The opposite outer edges of door 62 are supported by a plurality of rollers 80 or the like to permit effortless opening movement of flexible front door 62 through lid 42 into rear wall 28.

The lid 42 is provided with a handle 43. A snapover latch member 45 is provided on lid edge adapted to snap over boss 47 located at the front of channel 68 to normally retain the lid in closed position.

MODIFICATION As shown in FIG. 5, a separate screened compartment 82 is removably attached to receptacle 20 by means of hooks 84. Provided at the bottom is base 86 apertured at 88. The sides of the auxilliary receptacle are preferably formed of heavy guage screen wire mesh to provide sufitcient ventilation at the same time preventing access by animals or insects. Receptacle 82 is provided with a hinged top cover 90 preferably slanted downwardly so as to permit easy placement of litter bags 92 therein. At the rear of auxilliary receptacle 82 is a hinged door 94 which normally is locked at its lower end to the bottom 86 by means of a latch mechanism similar to that at 45 and 47, FIG. 1. To remove the bags 92 from receptacle 82, cover 94 is tilted upwardly for access to auxilliary receptacle 82.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, a roll-away type can support 100 is provided. The roll-away cart is substantially open and has a frame structure 102 with a bottom wall 104 which preferably is apertured. Mounted on the bottom 104 are the opposite front and rear walls 106 and 108 respectively, and longitudinal side walls 110 and 112. The walls of the boxed frame extend upwardly a distance approximately half of the height of the cans 40 supported on bottom 104. The upper edges of the frame walls are preferably rolled over at 113 for protection against cuts.

The opposite side walls 110 and 1 12 are pivoted to the bottom wall 104 by hinges 1 14 and will normally be held in closed position against end walls 106 and 108 by means of conventional hooks 115. The swinging sides are provided to permit lateral removable of cans 40.

The rear end of the refuse support is provided with a pair of opposite suspension brackets 116 which support an axle 118 for wheels 120. The front end of the receptacle is supported upon the ground by means of a pair of opposite legs 122 reinforced by diagonal struts 124.

A pair of separate handle members 126 are provided. When not in use, they are stored within holding brackets 128 provided on one of the side walls. The side walls and 112 have secured thereto longitudinal tubular sockets 130 at the front ends on the outer sides of said walls. Each of the sockets is provided with a transverse aperture 132 adjacent the inner end thereof. The shank portion of handle 126 is similarly provided with an aperture 134, adapted to be aligned with socket aperture 132. The sockets 130 retain the handle by pins I34 attached by a chain 138 to the side walls. Pin 134 extends through the aligned aperture 132 in socket 130 and aperture 134 in the shank portion of handle 126.

With reference to FIG. 7, the roller wheeled receptacle 102 is provided with a lateral extension 140 secured to bottom wall 104 on either side of sides 110 or 112 and includes bottom wall 140 which provides a base support for auxilliary box like receptacle 142 preferably open at the top and adapted to receive refuse bags as shown.

It will be evident from the foregoing description and drawings, the present invention provides a convenient and substantially weather proof means of temporary storage of refuse cans or bags or the like.

Having described my invention, reference should now be had to the following claims.

I claim:

1. In a compartmented refuse can receptacle having a frame on legs including an elevated perforated bottom wall, perforated and screened end and rear walls and openable front wall and a perforated and screened hinged cover;

the improvement comprising opposed first guide channels into which the opposite upright side edges of the front wall are movably positioned;

the cover at its ends including corresponding second channels in respective registry with the first channels;

the rear wall including corresponding third channels in registry with the second channels, the front wall, on closure of the cover, being retractable through said channels for storage in said second and third channels, providing front access into the receptacle.

2. In the refuse can receptacle of claim 1, rollers on the respective edges of said front wall, guidably movable within said channels;

and stops in said third channel to limit retraction of said front wall.

3. In the refuse can receptacle of claim 1, an auxilliary screened storage container for trash bags mounted upon one end wall;

hook means movably mounting said auxilliary container upon said end wall;

a top cover hinged upon said auxilliary container and extending downwardly;

and an upright rear access cover hingedly mounted at its upper end to said auxilliary container for selective access thereinto. 

1. In a compartmented refuse can receptacle having a frame on legs including an elevated perforated bottom wall, perforated and screened end and rear walls and openable front wall and a perforated and screened hinged cover; the improvement comprising opposed first guide channels into which the opposite upright side edges of the front wall are movably positioned; the cover at its ends including correspondiNg second channels in respective registry with the first channels; the rear wall including corresponding third channels in registry with the second channels, the front wall, on closure of the cover, being retractable through said channels for storage in said second and third channels, providing front access into the receptacle.
 2. In the refuse can receptacle of claim 1, rollers on the respective edges of said front wall, guidably movable within said channels; and stops in said third channel to limit retraction of said front wall.
 3. In the refuse can receptacle of claim 1, an auxilliary screened storage container for trash bags mounted upon one end wall; hook means movably mounting said auxilliary container upon said end wall; a top cover hinged upon said auxilliary container and extending downwardly; and an upright rear access cover hingedly mounted at its upper end to said auxilliary container for selective access thereinto. 